Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Body fluid, bronchial washings, spinal fluid, sputum, tissue, and urine

Unacceptable Specimens:

Swabs are not recommended for isolation of mycobacteria and should not be used.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Body Fluid

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  10 mL to 15 mL of body fluid

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Bronchial Washings

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  5 mL to 10 mL of bronchial washings

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Spinal Fluid

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  ≥2 mL of spinal fluid

Transport Temperature:  Ambient - Do not place on wet ice or refrigerate.

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Sputum

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  5 mL to 10 mL of sputum

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Tissue

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  Tissue - usually collected by physician

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Urine

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  30 mL to 50 mL of urine

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.